Kapoor carries the bat as UP holds Rajasthan to a draw

In the Central Zone Under-22 Tournament played at Field Club Ground, Udaipur, host Rajasthan were held to a draw by Uttar Pradesh on Monday. UP could take home only three points as Rajasthan took five points thanks to the first innings lead.

Rajasthan won the toss on Saturday and decided to bat first and did well to finish at 317 in 131 overs. A Jain with 76 (13 fours) and V Saxena with 81 (9 fours, 1 six) were the batting heroes. Anup Dave 46 and L Jain with 40 batted well down in the order and helped Rajasthan beef up there total. A Solanki with 5/72 was easily the pick of the UP bowlers. UP opening batsman A Kapoor Made a brilliant unbeaten 119 and carried his batting through the innings. P Singh with 44 (6 fours and 1 six) gave Kapoor admirable support. Kapoor in his defiant knock struck 17 boundaries but ran out of partners as most of the UP batsmen failed to apply themselves. UP were all out for 286 in 112.3 overs giving Rajasthan the crucial first innings lead. L Jain with 3/54 was the best of the bowling. Rajasthan started their second innings with a lead of 31 runs and were 73/1 at the close of play on Monday. V Saxena remained unbeaten on 41. Perhaps it was the sluggish batting by both sides that took away the competitive edge.